In a meeting with the press, Karnataka’s chief minister, BS Yediyurappa, quashed speculation of a change in leadership and spoke about his administration through the pandemic.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said on Thursday that he will complete the remaining two years of his term and that there was no confusion about it within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This comes as a reaction to intense speculation that the BJP high command is considering a leadership change in Karnataka in the coming days considering Yediyurappa’s age (77 years).
The BJP secretary general in charge of state Arun Singh made it clear that there are no problems for the next two and a half years and that Yediyurappa will continue as chief minister, such questions do not arise at all. He further added that his focus was on work and development in response to a question about leadership change and its effect on management.
Despite the clarifications regarding the issues, speculation is not abated due to open statements and expressions of discontent from senior leaders such as MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal. When asked about the same, Yediyurappa said their concerns will be addressed. “I’m going to have a division meeting with all of our legislators,” he said.
Referring to the financial struggles and challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said the year has been “a litmus test.” Speaking about the impact of Covid-19 on the state and its economy, the CM said the state may face a fiscal setback of 25,000 to 30,000 crore and could persist until the next budget.
CM Yediyurappa, despite the setbacks, plans to emphasize on the development of the state, including the well-being of farmers, agricultural workers, the SC / ST community and backward communities. He also expressed the government’s desire to make Karnataka the most developed state in the country.
Realizing that his wish and dream was to bring Karnataka to the first place on the country’s development map, Yediyurappa said that all his cabinet colleagues were working collectively to achieve the goal.
Stating that the BJP is strengthening its base across the country, including Karnataka, the chief minister claimed in recent Gram Panchayat polls, for which the count was conducted on Wednesday, more than 60 percent of BJP candidates won. and they created history.
According to the information, out of 5,728 Gram Panchayats, the BJP-backed candidates have won the majority by around 3,800 panchayats, he said, and gave credit to the collective leadership for the achievement, while also acknowledging the efforts of the ministers in charge of the district, MLA and party workers. .
Although the Gram Panchayat polls are not conducted on party symbols, all political parties have strived to ensure that the candidate supported by them wins, in order to have their grip on grassroots politics, which can prove to their advantage in taluk. or zilla panchayat and even assembly polls whenever it happens.
Also citing that the BJP won 12 of the 15 assembly seats that were won by by-elections in December 2019 and the victory in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Sira segments earlier this year, Yediyurappa said that these results show that the party it has made progress in the stronghold of opposition parties.
Highlighting his government’s management of the Covid-19 crisis and at the same time supporting distressed communities, he said, he also ensured that development work would continue despite the pandemic.
“Our government has spearheaded the attraction of FDI even during the Covid-19 pandemic. Up to 95 proposals worth Rs 1.54 lakh crore have been received,” he said.
